When building a company it is critical to have a shared operating model. These are not exactly values, but a set of beliefs that a team can share and build with.
Empathy & Expertise
Empathy is first because it is really important. Having empathy means understanding your customers, your partners, your team, and your community. It means finding ways to make it easier for others. Empathy means understanding everyone is out there doing their best and change is hard. But if we really want to help our customers and our teammates do better, we have to motivate them to change anyway. The only way we make progress is through change. Of course, most change does not create progress, and that is where expertise comes in. Expertise means knowing your function, knowing your product, and knowing your business.
Participation and Action
Wanting to help and knowing how are great, but only if you actually do something! Everyone's job is important, and everyone participates in our success. Taking action is critical to full participation. We are impatient with action, but patient with results. We thrive on brainstorms and experiments — quick hacks followed by sturdy, long-term solutions.
Metrics and Accountability
Metrics are what allow us to prove our actions are having the desired effect. We measure our business, set goals, and track progress. Accountability means having a plan, letting others know what it is, and working hard to achieve it. When a plan does not work, accountability also means telling the truth, learning from our mistakes, and making a new plan that works better.